You are all invited for free tonight when BBC Introducing Berkshire helps put on an open night of music and culture at Reading Minster

Isn’t there just something about a church setting that makes an acoustic gig, no matter the vastness of the venue, seem warm and intimate?

Well you are all invited to experience this for free tonight when BBC Introducing Berkshire helps put on an open night of music and culture at Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin.

We’re collaborating with local theatre group Reading Between The Lines (RBL), who are offering the chance to hear the actors, director and production team discuss their forthcoming production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at the church in St Mary’s Butts.

They will showcase the music of composer and musician Benjamin Hudson, who has penned a composition especially for their production.

And BBC Introducing Berkshire is showcasing two solo artists who I think have got stupendously beautiful music to play inside the sacred walls of St Mary’s.

The first artist is Finchey, aka Robbie Burley from Cookham, who has just started out as a solo artist and struck me sideways with his brooding harmony-laden and heart-wrenching More Now Than Ever.

He said: “I used to live in Reading for many years and know that church well – I used to sit outside it with a coffee every morning – never thought I’d get to play there though!”

It will be his first solo gig since he released his debut EP, ‘FINCHEY’.

“I’m excited about playing in a church,” he added. “I love the sound of churches – all that lovely echo and reverberation, it can sound and feel both immense and intense.

“It’s very different from any other music venue – as a solo vocalist and acoustic guitar player, I’m really looking forward to it!”

The second artist is My Northern Sky, aka Christopher Ryman, who hails from Wales but has settled in Reading with his family. His cinemagraphic soundscapes from his album Glasswing. Fly will simply sound stunning, and it appears we are helping to achieve one of his ambitions.

“It’s actually been a dream of mine for a while to one day arrange playing a tour that would be based around churches and abbeys,” he said, “so this is a lovely opportunity to get a taste and try it out.”

He added: “It’s made all the more special that it’s in Reading Minster Church, somewhere that is so rich in history and song.

“And then, of course, there’s the sound – churches were often built with worship and acoustics central to the design, so I’m really excited to hear the sounds that will come out on the night.”

The night will begin with the opening of the RBL Romeo and Juliet themed art exhibition, featuring more than 20 works of art from local artists.

The play itself will be on at Reading Minster from September 19 to 28, before transferring to Greenwich Theatre.

This is a free night from 7.30pm to about 10pm, and the church has agreed to a donations bar (where you donate money for a drink, rather than buy one).

See you there!

Listen to Linda Serck every Saturday at 8pm on BBC Radio Berkshire and email your music news and listings to linda.serck@bbc.co.uk